SR-917 Comments and Feedback

ASM-TGs – John McCulla

My comments are focused primarily on Troop Guides, and their preparation.

  • The ASM-TG should help select the TGs for the course if possible, along with CD and the ASM-P. So, this discussion should start early, and allow for this interaction.
  • Attributes: Scouting knowledge; enthusiasm; interpersonal skills; good communicator; long-term commitment to Scouting
  • A mix of age is good, so there are some “seasoned” and some not so seasoned
  • A mix demonstrating involvement at Council and District level is good, too.
  • A mix across Boy Scouts, Cubs, and Venturers, if possible
  • ASM-TG should have an early discussion with each TG if possible, at time of selection.
  • This would help firm up the TG and ASM-TG relationship very early in the course
  • It would allow an early sharing of personal goals and interests
  • Major TG Responsibilities:
  • Act as effective TG to their patrol
  • Present TG presentations (Listening to Learn, Communications, Managing Conflict)
  • Guide patrol in preparation of their tickets
  • Present Troop Presentations as assigned
  • Prepare TG Project as a group
  • Prepare for and present variety of mini-topics in patrol (Leave no Trace, Stove and Fuel, etc.)
  • ASM-TG, CD and ASM-P should agree early on how they will assess progress of the TGs, and make adjustments if needed.
  • CD and ASM-P should attend some TG meetings to make own observations
  • General understanding of why and when to replace a TG should be agreed between the three
  • Set the TG meeting schedule early and ensure it is a firm, and mandatory, schedule
  • Get specific commitment from each TG
  • Address any dates where there is not a critical mass – pick another date
  • Allow for one or two absences, but ensure there is communication to that TG regarding what he/she missed, or will cover again in a subsequent meeting
  • TG Meeting Schedule to consider:
  • 5 to 6 meetings, in addition to the normal SDMs meeting as a full course staff
  • Meeting 1: Introductions and Planning
  • Meeting 2: TG Presentation Practice; Plan TG Project
  • Meeting 3: Discuss Tickets; More TG Project Planning
  • Meeting 4: TG Presentation Practice; Work on TG Project
  • Meeting 5: Work on TG Project
  • Meeting 6: Final TG Presentation Practice; Walkthrough TG Project
  • Plan with ASM-P when the TG Presentations will be practiced and presented to the full WB staff
  • This worked well in SDM-3
  • Break full staff into 8 groups
  • TG presents one presentation fully; second one halfway through; third presentation TG summarizes key points and takeaways
  • This seemed to allow enough time for good observation and feedback from WB staff
  • By SDM-3, TGs are owning the material and should be confident in their presentation approach/style
  • Ensure the ASPL is included in all meetings, if he/she is the backup TG in case one cannot continue; ensure that the ASPL sees it the same way. He/she will need to participate throughout in order to be able to jump in as a TG without too much issue.
  • Have another TG candidate in mind early in the process, if another needs to be invited onto staff.
  • Ensure that the Council staff representative on course is included in all TG team communications, and that he/she is responsible for setting up the meeting space and opening/closing up the Scout Service Center (if that is the TG meeting location). Consider another meeting location if available and more central to the group, but the Service Center is likely first choice, as other WB staff will also participate in some of the TG meetings.
  • Meeting 1: Introductions and Planning (Forming)
  • Introductions to each other; background
  • Role and importance of the TG
  • Role of the ASM-TG
  • Specific responsibilities of TG
  • Expectations for meetings and communications to/from each other
  • Establish a clear email path across the group; begin to use immediately
  • Set the remaining meeting schedule
  • Consistent time, date, and place
  • Once a month, or more frequent if needed
  • Distribute TG presentation binders and wood stands at this first meeting (so, these must be in hand from the ASM-QM to do so)
  • Listening to Learn, Communications, Managing Conflict
  • Make first assignments for TG Presentation practice in TG Meeting 2.
  • Review Course resources – what’s on the website; what’s in the syllabus; what’s in the TG Presentation binders; where to get stuff from the Appendix, etc.
  • Address any issues or concerns
  • Follow-up this meeting with email and check-in with each TG
  • Include the ASPL in this, if he/she is the backup
  • Meeting 2: TG Presentation Practice
  • All TGs should practice presenting the Listening to Learn presentation
  • ASM-TG should invite a few other WB staff members to help listen to and provide feedback on this first round of practice. Ideally, 2 TGs and 1 or 2 WB staffers per group.
  • This first round of practice will be rough, so we don’t want to overwhelm with too many listeners/observers
  • Reassure all TGs they are doing well
  • Reserve time to discuss TG Project (20 – 30 minutes)
  • Brainstorm ideas; ensure it is will model what we want the Patrols to prepare
  • Try to nail down the idea in this first meeting
  • At close of meeting, summary feedback to all as a group
  • Firm up next meeting and focus; adjust if needed.
  • Meeting 3: Discuss Tickets/More TG Project Planning
  • This meeting should be dedicated to getting the TGs re-familiar with the purpose, intent, format, and construct of a Ticket
  • TGs should bring their own ticket into this meeting
  • CD and ASM-P should attend this meeting, to ensure all are sharing the same ideas and all leave on one page
  • The intent of this meeting is to ensure the TGs all understand the Ticket, and understand the perspectives of the senior WB course leaders on the Ticket
  • The Ticket should be discussed in perspective of the overall course: when it is addressed; how it fits to mission and vision; when course participants will be dealing with it, etc.
  • Practice as a group developing the outline of a ticket for a hypothetical Scout leader: personal mission and 5 Ticket goals/projects
  • Reserve time to discuss TG Project (20 – 30 minutes)
  • Nail down the project idea
  • Define general layout and content
  • Determine which TG will be point person
  • Decide who will present the idea to the overall WB staff at SDM2
  • Discuss TG Troop presentations, and preparations for those
  • Decide if time is needed in the TG meetings to discuss the Troop presentations that each TG is presenting
  • Ensure each TG is taking ownership and working with the other WB staff on their joint presentations
  • At close of meeting, summary feedback to all as a group
  • Firm up next meeting and focus; adjust if needed.
  • Meeting 4: TG Presentation Practice; Work on TG Project
  • This meeting should return the focus again on all TGs practicing their presentations
  • Invite other WB staff to be present to observe and provide feedback
  • Practice Communications, and if possible, Managing Conflict
  • Look for transitions between pages, and level of preparation – is the TG getting more familiar with the content?
  • Allow for style differences between TGs – not all will be the same, but in the end, they will likely get the job done!
  • At close of meeting, summary feedback to all as a group
  • Firm up next meeting and focus; adjust if needed.
  • Meeting 5: Work on TG Project
  • This meeting should be dedicated to the TGs developing their project
  • This allows for the TGs to set another meeting, if needed, to ensure completion
  • It allows for a break from the presentation practice
  • TGs need to come prepared with content and materials
  • This may need to be a longer meeting, or another meeting location used
  • If requested, the TGs can practice any presentations by coming early and presenting to the ASM-TG and other invited WB staff
  • At close of meeting, summary feedback to all as a group
  • Firm up next meeting and focus; adjust if needed.
  • Meeting 6: Final TG Presentation Practice; Walkthrough TG Project
  • This is the final meeting for TGs to practice their presentations
  • Let them select the one they are least comfortable with
  • Provide feedback and reassurance
  • Reserve time for a walkthrough of the TG Project
  • High-level review of the flow, content, and presentation approach
  • Though the Project will not be fully complete, this walkthrough should provide enough review to ensure it is on track and the quality will be there
  • Ensure all have a role, and all are contributing to the development of the project
  • At close of meeting, summary feedback to all as a group
  • Provide positive feedback at conclusion of the TG meetings that all is well, and the big work is done!
  • SR-917 jumped light years with the website for staff. Further organization of materials and a clear starting point would be helpful.
  • Organize TG materials by Course Day?
  • Ensure the material provided is the presentation version we want to use, vs. having multiple versions (SR769 vs. SR917, etc.)
  • Red Jackets at rededication ceremony, Day 5 – would look great at that campfire, and would not take away from seeing them the morning of Day 6.